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Morning Briefing: LAUSD, Flash Floods, City Hall Corruption And Escalating Coronavirus Closures
(Chava Sanchez / LAist)
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We are closely watching an emergency session of L.A. Unified's board this morning as the nation's second largest school district weighs closing down in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The meeting comes after a day when rain pummeled the city and coronavirus closures and updates kept on coming. Governor Gavin Newsom banned gatherings of over 250 people, Disneyland closed down for only the fourth time in its history and the Grand Prix and Pac-12 Conference were both cancelled, among many other events.
At least you can get cozy under a blanket while you’re quarantined at home. And in the meantime, here’s what else we’re...
Covering Today:
- Libby Denkmann takes a deep dive into the timeline of events that landed Mitch Englander in FBI custody earlier this week.
- We will bring you the story of the photography, films, and writing of an L.A. homeless man who has traveled the world and calls himself Bumdog.
- Sharon McNary will be keeping an eye on all this rain, which is forecast to be around for days.
- This weekend’s events include a Passover concert, film noir at the Ace Hotel and Burger Record’s music fest at The Echo. Call in advance to make sure these events are still taking place.
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CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL SECTION
What We Know:
- Governor Gavin Newsom has barred events of over 250 people throughout the state.
- LAUSD is teaming up with PBS to offer remote learning for students.
- Disneyland is closing down due to the virus, only the fourth time in history they've taken such a measure.
- Here are the steps the city and county are taking to stop the virus' spread.
- The Pac-12 Conference has cancelled all upcoming events until future notice.
- Did your office close down? Here are eight tips and tricks to working from home.
- Some L.A. and Long Beach port workers are feeling the economic effects of the coronavirus more than others.
- The 46th Grand Prix of Long Beach has been cancelled.
- Pepperdine is clearing out its dorms, but allowing some students to stay put.
- The status of local testing in L.A.? "We're swamped."
- The ACLU is making a case for low-level jail inmates in L.A. to be sprung.
What We're Following:
- We are out in force to cover LAUSD's next moves. Carla Javier is at LAUSD emergency meeting underway this morning. Kyle Stokes, our expert on all things K-12 is working the phones and Mariana Dale, our early childhood education reporter, is standing by to report on anad explain the effects on transitional kindergarten and childcare.
- San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose have created plans to help homeless people who have the coronavirus. But what about L.A.? Turns out, reports Matt Tinoco, we're still working things out.
- How can parents keep their kids occupied if schools close? Mariana gathered some charming and fun recommendations on possible in-home activities.
- Robert Garrova brings us the latest news from Dr. Barbara Ferrer.
- David Wagner explores if workers will still get paid if they get coronavirus, or lose work because of it.
DON'T MISS ANY L.A. CORONAVIRUS NEWS
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In Case You Missed It:
- Ex-L.A. City Councilman Mitch Englander's trial for an alleged corruption cover-up will begin on May 5.
- A flash flood watch was issued for Riverside and San Bernardino Counties
- Here are seven local takes on pao doce, a Portuguese treat that’s also known as Hawaiian sweet bread.
Help Us Cover Your Community:
- Got something you’ve always wanted to know about Southern California and the people who call it home? Is there an issue you want us to cover? Ask us anything >>
- Have a tip about news on which we should dig deeper? Let us know >>
The news cycle moves fast. Some stories don't pan out. Others get added. Consider this today's first draft.
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Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
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